Part 36

_Garter_ vested in his rich Coat of his Sovereign’s Arms, also (but at the Investiture of the Duke of _Wirtemberg_, he wore his Robe of Crimson Satten, as did _Clarenceux_, at the Investiture of the _French_ King, _Henry_ III.) bearing on a Cushion the _Garter_, and _Collar_ of the _Order_, with the great _George_, the Book of _Statutes_, and the Commission of _Legation_.

Lastly, The Lord Ambassador, or chief in the Embassy, who, if a _Knight-Companion_, proceedeth in his compleat Habit.

If any other _Knight-Companion_ is present, he also wears his whole Habit of the _Order_, as did the Constable of _France_, at the Investiture of the _French_ King, _Henry_ II. The said Constable also pair’d in the Proceeding with the Sovereign’s Ambassador.

In going up to the Sovereign’s State, they all make three Reverences, and drawing near, the Ambassadors Servants fall off on either side for the _Herald_ to pass up to the Table, set before the Sovereign’s State; whereon (with a single Reverence) he lays the Robes.

Then _Garter_ draws near the Table also, and with a like Reverence towards the Sovereign’s State deposites the _Ensigns_ of the _Order_.

The Lord Ambassador follows, and makes his Reverence towards the Sovereign’s State, and after turning to the Stranger elect, and doing him Reverence, he (or some other fit Person) delivers himself in a short, but grave, and learned Oration; “in which he not only sets forth the Praises of the illustrious _Order_, and of the King the Sovereign, but also the Virtues, the memorable and praise-worthy Actions of the elect Stranger, to whom the Habit and Ensigns of the _Order_ are sent: Neither are his Ancestors (if any of them have attain’d the Honour of this _Order_,) past over in Silence, that thereby his Heart (already breathing impatience and desire,) may be so much the more inflamed with an Earnestness to obtain the Honour and Favour of this so great a Dignity.

“He adds besides, that the Sovereign having well weigh’d these and the like things in his Mind, and maturely advis’d thereof with his _Knights-Companions_, they were perswaded and well satisfied in themselves, to nominate and chuse him before others; to the end that he might both himself be honoured by the Choice of such a Person, and also thereby give an increase and addition of Lustre to those renowned Actions and Virtues, which already were a chief Ornament to him.

“Lastly, He points towards the _Ensigns_ of the _Order_, which he declares to have been sent by the Sovereign, out of great Love, and singular Affection, to dignify him therewith, as to a Person to whom he wish’d as well and honourably as to any other Prince whatsoever, and withall intreats him kindly to accept thereof, and wear them in remembrance of the Sovereign and his _Order_.”

This or the like Oration being ended, the Ambassadors present their Commission of _Legation_ to the elect Stranger, who delivers it to his Secretary, and he publickly Reads it.

At the before-mentioned Investiture of the _French_ King, _Henry_ II. the Bishop of _Ely_, one of the Commissioners of the _Legation_, made the Speech, to which the Cardinal of _Lorrain_ returned Answer in the said King’s behalf, with all thankful Acknowledgments of the Honour of the _Order_.

After the Commission is read, _Garter_ presents the Oath fairly Written, which is administred to the elect Stranger, where, if any Exceptions were before made and admitted, they must be rehears’d, as we find it directed in the instructions given for the Investiture of _James_ V. King of _Scotland_. The Ceremony of the Oath being finish’d, _Garter_ takes from off the Cushion the Garter, and having kiss’d it, presents it to the Lord Ambassador, who kneeling down, puts it with all Reverence on the Stranger’s left Leg, being assisted by _Garter_, who pronounces these Words of _Signification_.

_Ad laudem atque honorem Omnipotentis Dei, intemeratæ Matris ejus, & Sancti Georgii Martyris; cinge tibiam tuam hoc insigni Subligaculo, circumferens in augmentum honoris tui, & in signum ac memoriam illustrissimi Ordinis, nusquam oblivioni daturus, aut omissurus, quod eo moneris; ut valeas, inquam & velis in justo bello, quod solum inibis, stare firmiter, agere fortiter, & feliciter omnino vincere._

This being said, _Garter_ takes the _Surcoat_, and with the Ceremony of a Kiss, delivers it to the Lord Ambassador, who (after the Stranger elect hath put off his Cloak or upper Garment, and Sword,) puts it upon him in this manner: First, The Lord Ambassador begins at the Stranger’s Right Arm, and _Garter_ (or the _Leiger Ambassador_ if present,) assists at the left Shoulder. The Stranger being thus vested with the _Surcoat_, both the Lord _Ambassador_ and _Garter_ gird his Sword about him, with a Velvet Girdle of the same Colour, at the doing whereof _Garter_ saith these Words.

_Capito vestem hanc purpuream, ad incrementum honoris, & in signaculum Ordinis accepti: qua munitus non veteberis pro fide Christi, libertate Ecclesiæ, pro jure, & oppressorum atque indigentium necessaria tuitione, sanguinem etiam fundere, nedum fortiter ac strenue dimicare._

After this, _Garter_ takes up the _Mantle_ and _Hood_, which, in like manner kissing, he delivers to the Lord Ambassador, who invests the Stranger therewith, and lays the Hood upon his right Shoulder; (the Train being given into the Hands of some Noble Personage to be born up,) _Garter_ also pronouncing these Words.

_Accipe Clamidem hanc Cœlici coloris, in signum Clarissimi hujus Ordinis, & in Augmentum etiam honoris tui, rubeo Clypeo Dominicæ crucis, uti cernis, insignitam: ut cujus virtute semper ac vigore protectus per Hostes tutus abeas, eos ubique superare valeas, & pro clarissimis denique Meritis, post egregiam hanc hujus temporis Militiam, ad æterna vereque Triumphalia gaudia pertingas._

_Garter_, in the last Place, takes up the _Collar_, and with a Kiss also presents it to the _Lord Ambassador_, who placeth it about the Stranger’s Shoulders, and _Garter_ uttereth these Words.

_Torquem hunc in Collo deferes, ad augmentum honoris, & in signum quoque clarissimi ordinis a te suscepti, cum imagine Sanctissimi Martyris, & Christi Militis Georgii: cujus præsidio suffultus, Mundi hujus tam prospera quam adversa sic pertranseas, ut animæ pariter ac corporis hostibus hic strenue devictis, non Temporariæ modo Militiæ gloriam, sed & perenis victoriæ palmam denique recipere valeas._ Amen.

When the Ceremony of Investiture is finished, the _Lord Ambassador_ congratulateth the new invested Stranger in the Sovereign’s Name, and in the Name of all the _Knights-Companions_, and then delivers him his Velvet Cap, adorned with white Plumes, and the Book of _Statutes_.

The Stranger being thus invested, stayeth a while in the Room, where he received this Honour, with the Ambassador, and after Complements of Congratulation between them, he goeth to the Church in a solemn manner, having the Train of his _Mantle_ born up; at the Entrance into the Church, all in the Procession make three Reverences, the first towards the _High Altar_, the next towards the Sovereign’s Stall, and the third towards the new invested Stranger’s Stall.

The _Lord Ambassador_ proceedeth towards the Seat assign’d for him, and stands before it till the Stranger hath ascended his Stall, and after making his Reverences, (as before) takes his; then _Garter_ making the like Reverences, sits down on a Chair, plac’d for him before the Sovereign’s Stall.

But the _Herald at Arms_ ought to be often near the Stranger, or else the _Lord Ambassador_, to inform them of the _Order_ of _Ceremony_, because _Garter_ is obliged to attend the Sovereign’s Royal Stall.

After a solemn Anthem, _Garter_ passeth in the middle of the _Choir_, and by a Reverence, first to the invested Stranger, and next to the _Lord Ambassador_, gives them the Signal for descending, and being both come down, _Garter_ passeth up before the Stranger to the _High Altar_, where he makes his Offering of Gold and Silver, being accompanied with the _Lord Ambassador_, the _Herald_ laying the Cushion whereon he kneels when he Offers.

But if a _Knight-Companion_ be sent on this _Legation_, then he proceeds first up to the _Altar_, preceeded by _Garter_, and Offers for the Sovereign, which done, he returns to his own Stall: Next, the invested Stranger proceeds up, (preceeded as before,) Offers, and returns back to his own Stall; afterwards the aforesaid _Knight-Companion_ proceeds up again, and Offers for himself: And in this _Order_ was the Offering made when the Emperor _Maximilian_ was invested at _Vienna_, _January_ 4. _Anno_ 10. _Eliz._

The new invested Stranger having offered, returns to his Stall, and the _Lord Ambassador_, with three Reverences, takes his Seat, the _Organs, &c._ playing all the while: When the solemn Service is finish’d, the Stranger descends again from his Stall, and with the Proceeding before him, returns in the same Order he came to the Room, where he received his Investiture.

It’s observable, that the Emperor _Maximilian_, out of a compliance with the Protestant Religion, caused, on the Day of his Investiture, all Prayers to Saints incensing, and other Matters and Ceremonies not used by the Church of _England_, to be wholly omitted at the Service in his Chappel.

At these great Solemnities, the invested Strangers have heretofore held most magnificent Feasts, but of late they are not so much in Use: And when Dinner was ready, they proceeded thither in their whole Habit, which they wore all Dinner time.

At the Investiture of _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_, _Anno_ 1 _Jac._ I. the Sovereign’s Stiles and Titles of Honour were proclaimed thrice, (before they sat down to Dinner,) and the said King’s twice; but when _Maurice_ and _Henry_, Princes of _Orange_, received Investiture, the Stiles were proclaimed immediately after they were invested, and in the same Room, the Ceremony being perform’d to both in the Afternoon.

At the Feast made by _Maximilian_ I. (King of the _Romans_,) Sir _Charles Somerset_, and Sir _Thomas Wriothesley_, sent on the Embassy, was admitted to his Table, and sat on his left Hand: On the Day of Investiture of _Don Ferdinand_, Prince of _Spain_, Arch-Duke of _Austria_, the Lord _Morley_, and Sir _William Hussey_, sat on his right Hand at Dinner, and Dr. _Lee_, and the said Sir _Thomas Wriothesley_, on his left; these four being join’d in the Commission of _Legation_.

At a Feast on the like Occasion by the _French_ King, _Henry_ II. he admitted to his Table (beside the Marquiss of _Northampton_, the principal Person in the _Legation_,) the before-mentioned Constable of _France_; and all three sat in their full Robes of the _Garter_, which they put not off till after Dinner. The Cardinal of _Lorrain_ sat also at the King’s Table, but it was on the other side.

When the Investiture was performed in the Afternoon, then was the Grand Dinner turn’d into a Supper; as it was at the Investiture of _Maximilian_ the Emperor, and two of the _French_ Kings; but when _Henry_, Prince of _Orange_, receiv’d the _Ensigns_ of the _Order_, there was no Feast at all, but purposely omitted, to prevent the difference which might have been occasioned by the Precedency and Place, between Ambassadors drinking of Healths, and other Complements.

On this Solemnity, and the Honour they deriv’d from it, some have thought fit to transmit the Memory to Posterity, by Medals, with Inscriptions relating thereto; such were those of Gold and Silver, which _Frederick_, Duke of _Wirtemberg_, caused to be made; as also those made by _Charles_, King of _Sweden_.

_Certificates of having receiv’d the_ Habits, _and_ Ensigns _of the_ Order.

§ 4. The magnificent Solemnity of Investiture, _&c._ being compleatly finish’d, and the Ambassadors having fully performed their Duties therein; they are yet further to obtain from the new invested Stranger, before their departure, a publick Instrument, testifying the reception of the said Habit and Ensigns, Sign’d with his Hand, and Sealed with his Great Seal; this we find anciently done in several Instances, and is generally demanded and obtain’d.

Hereupon a Clause to this Effect is usually added, in Instructions given to Ambassadors; as appears from those to the Lord _Howard_ and _Garter_, in the Embassy to _James_ V. King of _Scotland_; namely, that _Garter should remember_ (after the Investiture was performed,) _to Purchase, and Sollicit a Certificate from the said King, of his reception of the Order, and taking the Oath, both under his Seal_.

The Form and Substance of these Certificates are much alike; for after a recital of all the Powers given to the Ambassadors nam’d in the Commission of _Legation_, the Stranger Prince first makes Certificate of his receiving, and Investiture with the _Mantle_, _Surcoat_, _Collar_, and other Ornaments of the _Order_; and that they receiv’d them from the Sovereign’s Ambassador, with the accustom’d Solemnities.

In some of these Certificates, namely from _Ferdinand_, Prince of _Spain_, _Anno_ 15 _Hen._ VIII. from _Francis_ I. the _French_ King, _Anno_ 19 _Hen._ VIII. and from _Gustavus_, King of _Sweden_, _Anno_ 3 _Car._ I. we find the taking the Oath appointed by the Statutes to be also certified. Of the return of these Certificates, the Annals of the _Order_ sometimes take notice, and by a Decree, 13 _Car._ I. care was taken to oblige the Ambassadors to produce these Certificates to the Sovereign at their return.

The Stranger Prince hath been pleas’d sometimes, to give with the Certificate, a particular Testimonial of _Garter_’s punctual discharge of his Duty in the _Legation_, or of the Officer of Arms employed in his stead; as did _Gustavus_, King of _Sweden_, in the preamble of his _Diploma_, whereby he testifies the bestowing upon _Henry St. George_, _Richmond Herald_, the Honour of Knighthood; they have also usually given _Garter_ Gratuities, either in Money, Diamonds, or some other Present of great value, of which several Instances might be produced.

CAP. XVI.

_The Installation of a Stranger by Proxy._

_Touching the Choice and Nomination of a Proxy._

§ 1. After the Stranger is invested, he is enjoin’d by the Statutes (be he of what State or Condition soever,) to send in eight Months after his Investiture, either a _Proctor_ or _Deputy_ to be installed in his behalf, in the Seat assign’d him within the Chappel of St. _George_ at _Windsor_.

The Time limited for sending in _Henry_ Vth’s Statutes, is but seven Months; and those of _Henry_ VIII. allow no more; and that not only after Investiture, but after the Stranger hath certified the Sovereign of his reception of the _Order_.

By King _Henry_ VIIIth’s Statutes, it’s also provided; _That in case a Stranger do not send his_ Deputy _or_ Proctor _within seven Months, without having a reasonable Excuse, and such as should be allowed by the Sovereign or his Deputy, the Election_ (notwithstanding his former Acceptation,) _should be also void, except so it be, that the Stranger be hindred or disturbed by great Affairs, and then might he send his Excuse to the Sovereign, or his Deputy, within one Month after; and according as the Sovereign or his Deputy should allow or disallow of his Excuse, that then the Sovereign or his Deputy might give unto him four Months of respite more; within which time, if he neither come, nor send his Deputy to be installed for him, then the said Election should be void for that time_.

The _French_ King, _Francis_ I. was so earnest for compleating this Honour, that he dispatch’d his Proctor hither with all the speed he could, and most of the Stranger Princes have sent their _Deputies_ within the limited time, there being very few Instances to the contrary, and those were occasioned through the multiplicity of Affairs.

When the _Garter_ and _George_ only have been sent to a Stranger, the Ceremony of Installation hath been dispenc’d with, till a more convenient time, as appears from the Instructions of _March_ 4. _Anno_ 19 _Car._ I. given at the sending these two principal _Ensigns_ of the _Order_, to _William_, Prince of _Orange_, and _Bernard de Foix_, Duke _d’Espernon_, (in regard of the Interruptions then given by the Rebellion here,) such dispensations, and for the same reason, was King _Charles_ II. necessitated to give those Strangers whom he honoured with Election, while he remain’d in Foreign Parts.

Upon the said King’s happy Restauration, among many other things relating to the _Order_, this particular was taken into consideration, in reference not only to the Duke _de Espernon_ and Prince _Maurice_, who were dead, but those Strangers also then living; and at two _Chapters_ held at _White-Hall_, _Anno_ 13 _Car._ II. directions were given to _Garter_ to place the _Banners_ and _Atchievements_ of the surviving Strangers over their respective Stalls; and the Sovereign, by his supream Power, (induc’d by the impossibilities of the late Troubles to perform the Installation, and by reason of the time elaps’d since their Elections,) dispenc’d wholly and absolutely with their Installations, but at the same time declar’d, that as the like necessity and conjuncture could never happen again, so he would not, on any motion or pretence whatsoever, give the like dispensation.

It seems to rest in the pleasure of the Stranger, whether he will chuse to send over any Person of his own Court, or give his Procuration to some one of the Sovereign’s Subjects, to receive his Stall, and in his Name to take Possession of it; the latter of which hath been done several times, out of desire to favour some of our Nobility with this Honour, of which many instances might be given.

It hath sometimes happned, that a _Proctor_ for the Installation of a Stranger, hath been appointed and nominated by the Sovereign of the _Order_, though the Principal had nam’d another before: Thus it fell out in the case of _Maurice_, Prince of _Orange_, _Anno_ 10 _Jac._ I. who having deputed Count _Henry_ his Brother, to be installed for him, and he having put to Sea in Order thereto, but by reason of contrary Winds not arriving in _England_ before the Day appointed for his Installation, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ ordered that _Lodowick_ of _Nassau_, Kinsman to the elect Prince, should take Possession of his Stall on his behalf: A case somewhat like, was that of _John George_, Duke of _Saxony_, who sent over his Procuration to _John_, Earl of _Bath_; and he being detained in the West on extraordinary Occasions, when St. _George_’s Feast was held at _Windsor_, _Anno_ 23 _Car._ II. wrote to the _Chancellor_ of the _Order_, to obtain the Sovereign’s Dispensation, for not appearing in the Name of his Principal; who representing his humble request to the Sovereign, in a _Chapter_ held on the Eve of the said Feast, he was pleas’d to grant it, and appointed _Heneage_, Earl of _Winchelsea_, who perform’d the Service. There is also an ancient Example of this kind, _Anno_ 9 _Hen._ V. where the Sovereign nominated the Lord _Fitz Hugh_, _Proctor_ for the King of _Denmark_; which yet was not done, till after the Sovereign had been certified that the said King had been invested, and obliged himself by Oath to the observation of the _Statutes_.

In like manner it is recorded, that the Earl of _Cleveland_ was by the Sovereign appointed Deputy for the Installation of _Gustavus Adolphus_, King of _Sweden_, and yet not unlike, but this might be with consent of the said King, though the Annals herein are silent.

_The Proctor’s Qualifications._

§ 2. By the Statutes of the _Order_, the _Proctor_, whether he be nominated by his Principal, or by the Sovereign, must be _Procurator sufficiens & Idoneas_; that is, such a Person who hath always been accounted of unblameable Conversation, not branded with any note of Infamy, but altogether irreprovable. And such was _Dominicus Franciscus_, _Deputy_ to _Charles_, Duke of _Ferrara_, who in the _Black-Book_ of the _Order_ is characterized to be a Knight of incorrupt Fame; nor are we to doubt but that other _Proctors_ to Strangers were such, though the Testimonials of their Virtues do not appear in the Annals of the _Order_.

Secondly, The _Proctor_ ought to be a Person correspondent to the State and Dignity of the Stranger that is invested, which may sufficiently appear by several Instances; the Emperor _Maximilian_ I. appointed for his Proxy, the Marquiss of _Brandenburgh_, _Anno_ 6 _Hen._ VII. _Francis_ I. King of _France_, _Adrian de Fercelin_, Lord of _Bross_, _Anno_ 19 _Hen._ VIII. and _Henry_ IV. of _France_, _Sieur de Chastes_, Vice Admiral of _France_, _Anno_ 42 _Eliz._

Thirdly, It is provided that he be a Knight, and without any manner of Reproach; and if it so happen that he have not receiv’d the degree of Knighthood, the Sovereign is to bestow that Honour before he be allow’d to take upon him the Execution of his deputative Power; for none but Knights are capable of this Honour, or permitted to bear the _Ensigns_ of so great an _Order_. Hereupon the Lord _Willoughby_ of _Eresby_, _Proctor_ for _Frederick_ II. King of _Denmark_, was Knighted by the Sovereign, the Morning before he proceeded to take Possession of the Stall.

There was one reason notwithstanding, why this particular was not strictly stood upon, (though moved) in the case (and it’s the single case) of _Henry Ramell_, Hereditary Lord of _Wosterwitz_ and _Beckeskaw_, _Deputy_ for _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_, _Anno_ 3 _Jac._ I. for it being taken notice of that he was not a Knight, certain Persons were sent from the Sovereign to signify his Pleasure, that he should be advanc’d to the Honour of Knighthood before he took upon him the _Ensigns_ of the _Order_ in his King’s behalf; to which he made Answer, that he appeared here, not in his own, but in the Name of the King of _Denmark_; and that such a degree of Honour was unusual in his own Country, (being Born in _Pomerania_,) and therefore humbly desired that he might be excus’d from the Honour; upon which the Sovereign was pleas’d to dispence with him, and forthwith the said _Deputy_ (but no Knight,) was admitted to take the Stall assign’d to the said King his Principal.

_His Letters of Procuration._

§ 3. The Authority wherewith an elect Stranger invests his Proxy, which ought to pass under his Hand and Seal, do generally contain these Particulars.